Al Sadd remained on course of winning a record-extending 18th Amir Cup title after they recorded a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Al Arabi in the first semi-final at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium last night.
In a match completely dominated by Al Sadd, Nam Tae-hee scored the opener in 11th minute before a clinical hit by Baghdad Bounedjah (56th minute) and Santiago Cazorla’s spot kick in 80th minute sealed victory for the Xavi Hernandez-coached side.
Al Sadd had also defeated Al Arabi in the final of 2020 Amir Cup last December. ‘The Wolves’ will play the Amir Cup final on May 14 against the winner of second semi-final between Al Duhail and Al Rayyan, which will be played tonight at the same venue.
Al Sadd started the game with an aggressive approach, keeping most of the ball possession after the kick off. They gave first scare to Al Arabi in the third minute when striker Bounedjah’s attempt following Tae-hee’s back pass was stopped by goalkeeper Mahmoud Ibrahim.
Al Arabi denied another attack by Al Sadd few minutes later following a free kick by Santiago Cazorla. But Al Arabi couldn’t hold ‘The Wolves’ from scoring after an attack from the right flank, with Tae-hee’s header from near the penalty spot giving them lead early in the match.
Yusuf Abdurisag assisted the South Korean with a brilliant cross. Al Arabi made a few attacks after conceding a goal but Al Sadd were still in control, making surges at short intervals. Bounedjah’s another shot on target in the 24th minute was well blocked by the Al Arabi keeper.
Soon after the half-hour mark, Al Sadd could have doubled the lead after Abdurisag set up Bounedjah but the Algerian’s shot after beating two defenders just missed the target.
Abdelkarim Hassan’s bullet from edge of the box off a free kick was punched away well by Ibrahim, 10 minutes before half-time.
Two minutes before the break, Al Arabi’s Mehrdad Mohammdi attempted to score from a distance but Al Sadd goalkeeper Saad Alsheeb was in position to catch the ball comfortably as the defending champions took their lead to the final session. Al Sadd had around 75 percent of ball possession in the first half.
Al Sadd captain Hasan Al Haydos’ header from Hassan’s cross was off target after Al Arabi attacked Al Sadd in a fast start to the second half.
Taehee’s shot for his second goal also missed the left upright by a few inches after Cazorla’s brilliant long pass. Courtesy Al Haydos’ assist, Bounedjah finally got off the mark after his right-footed kick landed in the left corner, leaving no chance for a diving Al Arabi keeper.
Al Sadd were equally impressive in defense last night, thwarting attacks with ease as Al Arabi strove to bounce back in the match.
After Rodrigo Tabata came off the bench in the 64th minute, Al Sadd increased their attacks, eyeing more goals. In what was their sixth corner in 75th minute, Al Sadd had a goal denied by keeper Ibrahim after Boualem Khoukhi headed the ball on target.
But Ibrahim conceded a penalty soon after that as he committed a foul against Bounedjah, who was racing inside the box with just the goalie to defeat.
Al Sadd’s penalty specialist Cazorla comfortably chipped the ball in right corner, completely dodging the goalkeeper to seal a crushing defeat over Al Arabi.
